Is voter fraud a problem in the US?

Short answer: Voter fraud happens, but at very low rates, and it has rarely affected major U.S. election outcomes. It has, however, swung a few local races, so officials investigate and prosecute it when found.

What the evidence shows

•Large-scale studies consistently find extremely low incidence. For example, one review identified 31 credible cases of in‑person voter impersonation out of about 1 billion ballots cast (2000–2014).[1]

•In three vote‑by‑mail states, officials flagged 372 possible cases of double voting or voting for deceased persons out of 14.6 million ballots in 2016–2018 (≈0.0025%).[2]

•After the 2020 election, the U.S. Department of Justice said it found no evidence of widespread fraud that could have changed the outcome, and Georgia’s full hand audit confirmed the state’s presidential result.[3]

•Claims about noncitizen voting continue to be investigated, but recent federal efforts again show such cases are rare and not outcome‑changing at scale.[4]

Fraud does occur and is prosecuted

•The Heritage Foundation’s database of adjudicated cases (not exhaustive) listed roughly 1,567 proven instances as of 2025; Heritage reported passing 1,600 later that year. This shows fraud exists—but in context, that count spans many years and billions of ballots.[5]

•There have been notable local cases that did change results: North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District (2018) saw an absentee‑ballot scheme that led the state board to order a new election; and a Paterson, New Jersey, city council race (2020) was re‑run after mail‑ballot fraud charges.[6]

•Prosecutors continue to bring individual cases (for example, New Jersey indictments tied to the Paterson case).[7]

Bottom line

•As a systemic, nationwide threat that routinely changes major election outcomes: the best available evidence says no. As an integrity and enforcement issue that can matter in close local contests: yes, and that’s why states use safeguards like paper ballots, audits, signature/ID checks, chain‑of‑custody rules, and post‑election investigations.[8]

If you want, tell me your state and I can summarize recent audit practices and prosecuted cases where you vote.

Citations (8)

1washingtonpost.comNews and mediaquality 0.82
A comprehensive investigation of voter impersonation finds 31 credible incidents out of one billion ballots cast - The Washington Post
Backs: “For example, one review identified 31 credible cases of in‑person voter impersonation out of about 1 billion ballots cast (2000–2014).”
2washingtonpost.comNews and mediaquality 0.82
The truth about election fraud: It’s rare - The Washington Post
Backs: “In three vote‑by‑mail states, officials flagged 372 possible cases of double voting or voting for deceased persons out of 14.6 million ballots in 2016–2018 (≈0.0025%).”
3ap.orgNews and mediaquality 0.69
In exclusive AP interview, AG Barr says no evidence of widespread election fraud, undermining Trump | The Associated Press
Backs: “Department of Justice said it found no evidence of widespread fraud that could have changed the outcome, and Georgia’s full hand audit confirmed the state’s presidential result.”
4apnews.comNews and mediaquality 1.00
Trump's campaign against noncitizen voting demonstrates it's rare and not enough to swing elections
Backs: “Claims about noncitizen voting continue to be investigated, but recent federal efforts again show such cases are rare and not outcome‑changing at scale.”
5heritage.orgNonprofits and think tanks
Heritage Releases Updated Election Fraud Database, Featuring New Fraud Map | The Heritage Foundation
Backs: “This shows fraud exists—but in context, that count spans many years and billions of ballots.”
6ncsbe.govGovernment
State Board unanimously orders new election in 9th Congressional District | NCSBE
Backs: “North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District (2018) saw an absentee‑ballot scheme that led the state board to order a new election; and a Paterson, New Jersey, city council race (2020) was re‑run after mail‑ballot fraud charges.”
7njoag.govGovernment
Paterson Council President and Alleged Co-Conspirators Charged in Superseding Indictment, Alleging They Tampered with Ballots - New Jersey Office of Attorney General
Backs: “Prosecutors continue to bring individual cases (for example, New Jersey indictments tied to the Paterson case).”
8ga.govGovernment
Risk-Limiting Audit Report
Backs: “As an integrity and enforcement issue that can matter in close local contests: yes, and that’s why states use safeguards like paper ballots, audits, signature/ID checks, chain‑of‑custody rules, and post‑election investigations.”